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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Advice on supporting friend who hasn't accepted pregnant

3 replies

Mul82 · 03/10/2017 20:11

I wondered if anyone can help with any advice.
My good friend is over 8 months pregnant. This was a planned pregnancy but I think she's suffering with perinatal depression. Despite her bump she's not bought it up in conversation at all and when I have tried to mention it, she gets very upset & changes the subject.
I obviously don't want to upset her. She seems like she's in denial and her partner is not around much. She doesn't seem to have any bond with her baby.
Has anyone had this experience? I think she's getting some support from her doctors (and is on medication) but I don't know how I should behave around her. Has anyone been through this themselves? Can anyone give me any advice about how I can support her and help her come to terms with the fact she's going to be a mother?

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DeadDoorpost · 04/10/2017 00:03

Oh man, I don't know if I have any advice but I can say I've been experiencing something similar with myself.. while it's ok to talk about to people I still don't feel a connection to him and I've had several breakdowns because it's an odd thing to accept, especially as I never wanted children. (Not that I've been forced into having this one, just happened)
Until the baby is in my arms or being pushed out my vagina I really don't think I'm going to accept I'm pregnant. It's a weird thing to get my head around and no matter what anyone says it doesn't help me to come to terms with it.
With your friend, the pregnancy may have been harder than she thought it would be, and she may feel like she's not herself anymore. I certainly dont. I don't recognise my own body and it feels weird. This might be why she never mentions it at all or why she gets upset. Everyone reacts differently, even if they wanted the pregnancy, as it doesn't mean it'll be what they expected.
I'd try and just avoid the topics if you know how she'll react, but certainly let her know you're there for her no matter what.

DeadButDelicious · 04/10/2017 00:13

It could be that she is suffering form some form of antenatal depression or it could be that she just doesn't want to talk about it. I didn't tell anyone who I wouldn't actually see that I was expecting my daughter, no 'announcement' was made, I didn't make any of it public till she was hear and safe and alive. We lost our first and I just didn't want to open myself up to a flood of questions and well meaning but hurtful comments. Pregnancy was rough for me and was something I very much just wanted to skip to the end of and not talk about all the time.

DeadButDelicious · 04/10/2017 00:15

Here and safe. Bloody autocorrect.

Also wanted to add that I did have a bond with my baby in utero, I just didn't want to talk about it. Now she is here I'll talk about her all day but when I was carrying her I was just terrified that if I got too invested I'd lose her too.

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